At the BeerBQ, it was rumored that Kerri Thoreson, ultimate winner of the contest (with her quite-delicious beer balls, I think they're called - sausage type food with a touch of jalapeno in the middle), attempted to influence the judges by bringing them (us) s'mores in the midst of the judging. I can confirm the facts of the controversy - we three judges were indeed in the midst of finalizing our decisions when Kerri came into Taryn's kitchen with her s'mores. I also can confirm that Kerri insisted it was not a bribe, and that she claimed to have absolutely no idea what we were doing there in the kitchen - that she was just being the Good Samaritan that we are supposed to know her to be... I also can confirm that the s'mores were really quite delicious, and brought me back to those days of yore, when my girl scout troop went camping/Beth Bollinger, Accidental Rabbit Trails. More here.

• Cherries & a bee/Amateur Malcontent
• Zicam recall/Frugal Chic Living
• Red Mustangs lead muscle car count (second item)/Just South Of North
• Mr. President, I agree/That Got My Goat

Question: OK, I sampled the beer balls -- mebbe a half dozen of 'em -- and they were "quite-delicious," as advertised above. However, I have to stay neutral and above the fray here. So I must ask: Do you think Kerri's, ahem, Good Samaritan s'mores visit swung the voting?